India Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details

Free import by non-residents. Is only permitted if they enter India for a stay of not less than 24 hours, not more than 6 months, and not more than once a month.a. persons of 17 years of age and older: 100 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 125 grams of tobacco; 2 liters of alcoholic liquor or wine;b. medicines in reasonable quantities;c. 2 ounces of perfume and 1/4 liter of toilet water;d. jewelry, up to a combined value of INR 50,000.- for male travelers or INR 100,000.- for female travelers; e. travel souvenirs imported by:- nationals and residents of India or if being of Indian origin and being over 9 years of age:- if returning from Bhutan, China (People's Rep.), Myanmar or Nepal: up to INR 6,000.- if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: nil.- if returning from other countries: up to INR 45,000.- if stayed outside for more than 3 days. If stayed outside up to 3 days: INR 17,500.-.For persons under 10 years of age:- nationals of, or being of origin, Bhutan and Nepal and coming from respective countries: nil. If coming from other countries: up to INR 8,000.-- nationals of, or being of origin, Pakistan and coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.-. If coming from other countries: up to INR 8,000.-.- all other nationals: up to INR 8,000.-. If coming from Pakistan: up to INR 6,000.-.f. goods for personal use.

Goods in excess of the maximum permitted amount will be subject to an import duty of 60%.

Livestock and livestock products: the import of these, by any means including cargo or baggage is restricted and requires a sanitary import permit, as well as a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC). A NOC must be obtained in advance from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS). Products include:- meat and meat products of all kinds of fresh, chilled and frozen meat, tissue or organs;- egg and egg powder;- milk and milk products;- bovine, ovine and caprine embryos, ova or semen;- pet foods of animal origin;- gelatin, fur, animal skin, wool, leather, carpets, horns, bone and bone grist, feathers, shuttle cock etc.Prohibited: the following livestock and livestock products:- all kinds of birds and bird products (incl. eggs, feathers, meat etc.); and- pigs and pig meat products.

A minimum of 48 hours is required by the Airport Health Office for the importation of human remains or ashes. A death certificate is also required (in English or translated into English). A death certificate indicating cause of death as unknown or pending will not be accepted. Please contact airline for further requirements that apply to the carriage and importation of bodies.

1. Pets being (re-)imported by an owner who is transferring residence to India, after a minimum two years of continuous stay abroad:a. import of a max. of two pets as baggage is allowed only through Bengaluru (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Delhi (DEL), Kolkata (CCU), Mumbai (BOM) and Hyderabad (HYD); andb. upon presentation of health certificates from country of origin. The health certificate must contain name/address of the passenger in both country of origin as well as country of arrival. The name of the owner mentioned on the health certificate must match with the name on the ticket; and c. if holding a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) arranged at least 7 days prior to import from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS).Upon arrival all pets will be examined by the Quarantine Officer .

2. Temporary visitors need to apply for a license issued by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), see www.dgft.gov.in .Entry would be possible only from airports where there are Animal Quarantine and Certification Services officers (AQCS) posted for inspection. This would be mentioned on the license. A NOC arranged at least 7 days prior to import from the AQCS is also required, clearly specifying the port of entry.

Foreign currencies : up to the amount imported and declared.Local currency (Indian Rupee-INR): INR 7,500.- for residents of India, except when departing to Bhutan and Nepal. For residents departing to Bhutan and Nepal: no limit in amount of INR but notes no bigger than INR 100.- may be carried.